A MAN appeared in court on Friday charged with causing death by dangerous driving after a fatal smash on the A55.

David Michael Doherty, 27, of Riverside Caravan Park, Queensferry, faced a total of six charges at Caernarfon Magistrates Court.

Doherty is the son of Paddy Doherty, star of TV’s My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding and a Celebrity Big Brother winner.

Before yesterday’s hearing, Paddy said: "My heart is broken over it. Devastated is not the word, the pain is unbelievable."

Wearing a blue sweatshirt and dark trousers David Doherty appeared in the dock on crutches and with his right arm strapped up.

He spoke only to confirm his name, age and address during the hearing.

Flanked by dock officers he listened as the court clerk read out the charges against him.

In addition to causing death by dangerous driving Doherty is also charged with failing to stop after an accident, taking a Land Rover Defender without consent, failing to report an accident and of driving a Mitsubishi Shogun and the Land Rover without insurance.

Julie Hughes, prosecuting, said the charge of causing death by dangerous driving was an indictable only offence and would have to be heard at the crown court.

Mrs Hughes said: "The other charges are connected with the charge of causing death by dangerous driving and I would ask that all matters be sent up to the crown court together."

An application for bail was refused and Doherty was remanded in custody. Reporting restrictions were not lifted.

He will appear before a judge at Caernarfon Crown Court for a preliminary hearing in early April.

James Loveridge, 38, from Elton, Cheshire was killed in the incident which happened on the westbound carriageway of the A55 at Talybont near Bangor in the early hours of last Sunday morning.

Paramedics and police who were sent to the scene found a blue Mitsubishi Shogun and a white Renault Master van had collided.

Mr Loveridge was a front seat passenger in the Mitsubishi and died at the scene.

Two other occupants of the Mitsubishi were seriously injured and are being treated at a Liverpool hospital. Another person in the vehicle also needed hospital treatment.

The driver of the white van was seriously injured and remains in a critical condition at hospital where he is receiving treatment for head and neck injuries.